Flights are usually one of the biggest costs when planning a trip, especially if you’re travelling as a family. Over the past few years travelling across Latin America, we’ve tested a lot of different flight search tools trying to find the best deals.
Two platforms that come up again and again are Aviasales and Skyscanner.
Both promise cheap flights, flexible search options, and global coverage, but they don’t always show the same results, and they don’t always work the same way.
In this guide, we’ll break down Aviasales vs Skyscanner, including pricing, ease of use, and which one is actually better depending on how you travel.
⭐Quick Answer: Which Is Better?
If you’re short on time, here’s the simple answer:
Best for cheapest flights: Aviasales
Best for ease of use: Skyscanner
Best for families: Skyscanner
Best strategy overall: Use both
In most cases, we actually check flights on both platforms before booking. You can quickly compare prices on Aviasales here, then double-check on Skyscanner to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
Aviasales vs Skyscanner: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Aviasales | Skyscanner |
|---|---|---|
| Price accuracy | ✅ Very strong | ✅ Strong |
| Ease of use | ⚡ Simple | ⭐ Very user-friendly |
| Filters | Good | Excellent |
| Flexible search | Limited | Excellent |
| Global coverage | Good | Excellent |
| App experience | Good | Excellent |
What Is Aviasales?
Aviasales is a flight search engine that scans hundreds of airlines and booking platforms to find cheap routes.
It’s particularly known for:
Finding less obvious flight combinations
Surfacing cheaper routes that other platforms miss
Strong results for international and long-haul travel
We’ve personally used Aviasales quite a bit while travelling through South America, especially when looking for cheaper routes between countries. It often pulls up options that don’t always appear on other platforms.
What Is Skyscanner?
Skyscanner is one of the most well-known flight comparison tools globally and for good reason.
It’s known for:
A very easy-to-use interface
Powerful filters
Flexible search options like “Everywhere”
If you’ve ever searched for flights before, chances are you’ve used Skyscanner. It’s often the starting point for most travellers, especially if you’re planning a trip and still figuring out dates or destinations.
Key Differences: Aviasales vs Skyscanner
Which Finds Cheaper Flights?
This is where things get interesting.
In our experience, Aviasales sometimes finds cheaper routes, especially for longer journeys or less direct flights. It seems to surface more combinations, including routes with smaller or lesser-known airlines.
That said, Skyscanner is still very competitive and often shows similar pricing.
👉 The best approach:
Check both.
Search Flexibility
Skyscanner is the clear winner here.
Features like:
“Search everywhere”
Flexible date calendars
Month-wide price views
…make it much easier to explore options if your plans aren’t fixed.
Aviasales is more straightforward but doesn’t offer the same level of flexibility.
Ease of Use
This is where Skyscanner really stands out.
The platform is:
Cleaner
Easier to navigate
More beginner-friendly
If you’re booking flights quickly, or planning a trip with kids, this matters more than you might think.
Coverage and Results
Both platforms cover global flights, but:
Skyscanner: more consistent worldwide
Aviasales: sometimes stronger for specific routes and deals
Again, this is why using both can be powerful.
Mobile Experience
Both have apps, but Skyscanner feels more polished overall.
If you’re searching flights on your phone (which most people do), Skyscanner is usually the smoother experience.
For Aviasales I personally love to use this for a quick monthly overview
Which Is Better for Families?
From our experience, Skyscanner is slightly better for families.
When you’re travelling with kids, you want:
Clear flight times
Minimal confusion
Easy filtering
Skyscanner makes it easier to quickly compare options without overthinking it.
That said, we still often check Aviasales afterwards, just in case there’s a cheaper option hiding there.
Pros and Cons
Aviasales
Pros
Can find cheaper routes
Good for flexible travellers
Surfaces unique flight combinations
Cons
Slightly less intuitive
Some booking providers may be unfamiliar
Skyscanner
Pros
Very easy to use
Great filters and flexibility
Trusted by most travellers
Cons
Occasionally slightly higher prices
May miss some alternative routes
When You Should Use Each
Use Aviasales if:
You want the absolute cheapest flights
You’re flexible with routes
You don’t mind a bit more digging
Use Skyscanner if:
You want something quick and simple
You’re travelling with family
You prefer a more polished experience
Our Recommendation
If we had to choose just one, we’d probably start with Skyscanner because it’s quicker and easier to use.
But in reality, we almost always check both.
We’ll usually:
Search on Skyscanner to get a baseline
Then check Aviasales to see if there’s a cheaper option
That extra step has saved us money more than once.
Tips for Finding Cheap Flights
No matter which platform you use, these tips make a big difference:
Be flexible with your dates
Check nearby airports
Book earlier for long-haul flights
Compare multiple platforms
Avoid peak travel times if possible
Even small changes can lead to significantly cheaper flights.
FAQ
Is Aviasales legit?
Yes, Aviasales is a legitimate flight search engine. It works similarly to Skyscanner by comparing flights across airlines and booking sites, then redirecting you to complete the booking.
Like any comparison site, the key is to double-check the final booking provider before paying.
Is Skyscanner legit?
Yes, Skyscanner is one of the most widely used and trusted flight comparison platforms in the world.
It doesn’t sell tickets directly but shows results from airlines and third-party booking sites, which is why prices can sometimes change after clicking through.
Why are flights sometimes cheaper on Aviasales?
Aviasales often surfaces:
Lesser-known booking providers
Alternative routes
Different airline combinations
This can result in slightly cheaper options compared to Skyscanner, especially for international or multi-leg journeys.
Why does the price change after clicking on Skyscanner?
This is a common issue and not unique to Skyscanner.
Prices can change because:
Airline prices update in real-time
Cheap fare classes sell out quickly
Some third-party sites delay updates
It’s always best to book quickly once you find a good deal.
Does Skyscanner show accurate prices?
Most of the time, yes, but it’s not perfect.
Skyscanner pulls data from multiple providers, so occasionally:
Prices may be outdated
The final booking price may be slightly higher
This is why comparing with another platform (like Aviasales) can be useful.
Can you book flights directly on Aviasales or Skyscanner?
No, both are comparison tools.
They redirect you to:
Airline websites
Online travel agencies
This is where you complete your booking.
Final Thoughts
Both Aviasales and Skyscanner are powerful tools for finding cheap flights, and honestly, you don’t need to choose just one.
If you want simplicity and speed, start with Skyscanner.
If you’re trying to squeeze out the absolute best deal, it’s worth checking Aviasales as well.
For us, using both has consistently been the best approach, especially when travelling long-term and trying to keep costs down.
